As of Friday night, the road leading to the new Cayman Brac District Administration complex will be named Martyn Roper’s Way, a nod to the outgoing governor’s “decisive” action during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cayman Brac East MP and Education Minister Juliana O’Connor-Connolly made the announcement Friday as the Sister Islands paid homage to Roper’s commitment to Cayman.
A special appreciation event, which coincided with the soft opening of the first building at the new administrative complex, was held Friday in Roper and his wife Lissie’s honour.
‘I am very touched’
Roper appeared visibly emotional Friday after the special honour was announced, said he was “very touched” by the gesture, and had only learned about it shortly before the announcement.
“I’m hugely grateful to the Minister for that… that’s very nice indeed,” he said, as he shared that he spent a “wonderful day” Friday making his final tour of the Sister Islands.
Roper said it has been “quite overwhelming” experiencing the warmth and the generosity of everyone he and his wife Lissie had met on their visit.
“We’ve had a lovely day going around and saying goodbye to everybody in Cayman Brac… sad in many ways but also it’s been a wonderfully, enjoyable day,” he added.
O’Connor-Connolly, in her speech announcing the governor’s parting gift, lauded his diplomacy and love for the Cayman Islands.
She pointed to his work during the COVID-19 pandemic and efforts which assisted in the delivery of the first vaccines for residents, and his handling of decisions at that time of uncertainty.
“Governor Roper ensured that we got our vaccines… right quantities, right time, cost effective [and] efficiently. [There was a] level playing field which included the Sister Islands,” she said.
She said he also ensured the Sister Islands had a supply of lateral flow tests at Faith Hospital and on Little Cayman when schools had to be closed in March 2020.
He did this, she said, while the rest of the world was scrambling to get tests.
“We had a committed, overcoming governor. He was also vigilant,” she said, explaining that there is little Governor Roper misses.
“He’s also extremely intelligent,” she added.
‘A true gentleman, diplomat’
O’Connor-Connolly lauded Roper’s affection for the community and his actions demonstrated this fact.
“He also learned quite soon after embarking upon these lovely Cayman Islands that ‘if I want to leave a legacy I have to learn to like the people,’ so much so that he ventured into the musical dimensions of the steel plan, and that takes a lot of steel,” she said.
Premier Wayne Panton, who was on hand for the special farewell event, thanked the governor for his support, calling him a friend.
“He has been such an incredible leader. He has been such an advocate for Cayman,” Panton said.
He described Roper as a “true gentleman” and “a true representative of what the world of diplomacy and the people that the FCO ought to be sending out here to be representatives for us”.
The premier also expressed admiration for the bond that Roper shares with his wife.
District Commissioner Mark Tibbetts lauded Roper’s contribution to the islands and his love for the Sister Islands.
Roper and his wife mingled with the community who came out to show their appreciation for his service.
Roper was presented with a plaque after he, together with the premier and other officials, cut the ribbon at the opening of the office.
They also took a tour of the building and cut a cake, which featured a map of Cayman Brac, at the close of the event.
Officials were given a tour of the building by District Administration Facilities Manager Mark Schofield.
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